Madison County Planning Department was awarded funding from NYS Department of State (DOS) to complete a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for the Old Erie Canal Corridor. Once complete this will be a land and water use plan for the 36 miles of Old Erie Canal and Old Erie Canal waterfront. The main purpose of creating this plan is to improve the iconic Old Erie Canal waterway in order to spur economic development, attract tourism, and revitalize our canal-side communities.
What is a LWRP?
New York State's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a locally prepared, land and water use plan and implementation strategy for a community's natural, public, working, or developed waterfront. In partnership with the Department of State, a municipality develops community consensus regarding the future of its waterfront and implements the plan to make the most of its waterfront. In order for a LWRP to be official, it must be adopted by resolution by the individual municipalities. Communities with an approved LWRP are eligible to apply for implementation funds (available only to communities with a LWRP). To read more about the NYS DOS LWRP: www.dos.ny.gov/opd/programs/lwrp.html#leg
What is the Old Erie Canal Corridor?
The Old Erie Canal corridor is defined as the surrounding communities and adjacent properties along the Old Erie Canal State Park as well as the Old Erie Canal State Park and canal waterway itself. In total, the 36-mile project spans three counties, Onondaga, Madison, and Oneida, and includes, from west to east, the Town of Dewitt, Village of Fayetteville, Village of Chittenango, Village of Canastota, Village of Wampsville, City of Oneida, Hamlet of Durhamville, and City of Rome.
Take a look at the proposed “Local Waterfront Revitalization Boundary Area” for the Old Erie Canal. This Boundary is where the plan would apply and where projects are currently being identified.
Why is the Old Erie Canal waterway important?
The Erie Canal is the most famous canal in the world, and it attracts visitors from all over the world to our communities. The 36-mile Old Erie Canal State Historic Park (OEC SHP), part of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail and the Empire Trail, is one of our state’s most treasured assets. The Old Erie Canal runs through and connects several Central New York communities and the ability to use the canal as waterfront is important for quality of life, tourism, and economic development.
What projects have been proposed in the Old Erie Canal Corridor?
To view projects identified to date please go to our projects page.
Questions? Contact Jamie Kowalczk at (315) 366-2378
